Men’s basketball: College bested by St. John’s in season-opener, 74-59

William and Mary opened its 2011-12 season by falling on the road to St. Johns’s, 74-59 Monday in Queens, N.Y.

The College led for the majority of the first half, and carried a 33-26 lead into halftime after a sharp opening performance by senior forward Quinn McDowell and sophomore guard Brandon Britt, among others, who propelled the Tribe to a 11-6 run midway through the first half.

The Red Storm responded in the second half, though, as St. John’s utilized a mix of heavy defensive pressure and offensive efficiency to doom the College. The Red Storm went on a 15-2 run in the second, briefly allowed the Tribe to get within one point, and then embarked on a 16-3 run to seal the victory.

Overall, McDowell led all scorers with 20 points, as the Tribe shot 46 percent from the field, including 11 three pointers. St. John’s, meanwhile, shot 49.2 percent from the field, including 67.9 percent from beyond the arc.

The College will face Hampton Saturday on the road before playing its home opener Monday against Liberty.